WTF #8

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German sausages and scat gummies. Savor the flavor.

By Jessica Chobot

We're up to WTF #8. Not as cool as # 7, but a hell of a lot better than that snooty # 9. It looks like I went on a bit of an internet rampage with WTF this time-so for all you net surfers out there, enjoy!

Topics include such greats as: scat, Japanese candy, Warthog launching, German sausages, and unrequited love (the best kind in my humble opinion). So hold on tight and enjoy the emotional roller coaster that is this week's WTF.

Scat and Japanese Candy Packaging Admit it-you travel in your car for days at a time, on a never-ending quest to find all of the local Asian food marts in an attempt to snag specialty candy boxes with the Pokemon figurines inside, some Ramune soda, and the occasional bag of wasabi peas. Ha! Don't try to deny it! You know you've upped the ante when you travel from state to state and instantly ask the locals: Is there a Chinatown or Little Tokyo around here?

My most recent foray into culture hunting was during E3 when I spent almost every ounce of free time in LA's Little Tokyo searching the bookshops, gift stores, and supermarkets in an attempt to purchase some Japanese doohickeys. It was in the cold and clammy isle of the food mart during the search for Full Metal Alchemist candy boxes (and eyebrow shavers) that I stumbled upon the holy grail of mis-translation!

There, on the top shelf of the candy isle, was the gummy candy section. My heart began palpitating, and my hands shook as I did a double-take on the package of innocent looking jellies before me: Scat Gummy.

In a flash I turned and grabbed my buddy, Jim. Pointing at the bag, I whispered in a hushed and hissing tone: Oh my ******* God!!! SCAT GUMMIES! I NEED TO GET SOME! Ok, let me just say right now, I wanted to get some because of the package-NOT because I like scat (or gummies for that matter).

With the speed of a cheetah geared for the kill, I ran to the cellophane bag and snatched it off the shelf like a spoiled 2 year old. Dancing the dance of victory that only a nerd would dance at finding Japanese scat gummy candy in the middle of an Asian food mart, I posed-anime style- with my unique and amazing find held high and proud!

That's right around the time that Jim mentioned that the package actually said: muscat gummy. Apparently, the bright overhead lights had cast a glare so perfect that it blocked out the letters m and u.

I was totally crushed.

But I did manage to land my Full Metal Alchemist boxes (along with the eyebrow shavers), and a few other choice candies which leads me to... Japanese Toy and Candy Design is the unique hobby/pastime of Jason Zada. Dedicated to his wife, Liz (who is apparently as obsessed with Japanese packaging as the rest of us), this site features cute and creative pics of Japanese candy packaging.

While it's nothing overly advanced, this well-organized site helps to add a professional air to a hobby that is often considered immature by others. Granted, validation may not necessarily be what you're searching for, but you can't help but feel a little satisfied by thumbing through Liz and Jason's collection.

BONUS: The site has the CUTEST song imaginable playing in the background. Also-If you find any packaging that you think would be a good addition-you can email Jason with your pics for possible publication.